By Samantha Fournier

Most of the time, college students rely on cheap packages of ramen noodles, unappetizing cafeteria meals, late night pizza slices, and the occasional home cooked meal to keep them going. Amidst the number of chain pizza places, sandwich shops, and fast food joints that CCSU’s students could easily be tempted to stop at is a Taste of Jamaica, Caribbean Cuisine L.L.C. located on Arch Street in New Britain serving authentic Jamaican food.

Upon entry, Taste of Jamaica smells of spices and the smell gets stronger when walking toward the counter near the back of the restaurant. Lollipops and red and white striped mints line the top of the counter.

The friendly staff at the restaurant recommended the tender and spicy jerk chicken, which is topped with your choice of sauce and served alongside your choice of white rice or rice and red beans. The sweet plantains served with the chicken complimented and mellowed the spicy taste of the chicken. This “small meal” which filled a small to go container and cost $6.50 was also served with a small helping of mild tasting cabbage and carrots.

Small meals range from $6.50 to $12 and a variety of entrees are offered, including curry chicken, peppered steak, fried fish, and fried chicken.

While Taste of Jamaica offers hot meals served daily for lunch and dinner, they also sell grocery items. Beneath the dim yellow lighting, the Jamaican flag and the flags of many other Caribbean Islands hang from the walls above white shelves stocked with Goya brand items, ginger tea, round buns, and other items that can be found at the common convenience store.

Past the shelves of organized items for sale are two tables covered with palm printed table cloths, topped with a small vase holding fake white flowers. Patrons can dine in or take their warm meals to go.

Colorful triangular flags hang in front of Taste of Jamaica along with a sign that says “now open.” Since opening a little over four months ago, the woman working behind the counter says that this restaurant and convenience store has seen many locals stop in as well as customers from surrounding towns.

“I’ll see you again?” asked the friendly woman working behind the counter said after filling the dense to-go container that smelled and looked good enough to widen the eyes.

If you are tired of pizza and ramen and want to try something different visit Taste of Jamaica for a quick home cooked meal that will have you coming back for more in the near future. Taste of Jamaica is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.